Chapter 43
Chapter 43
The young man let the lady pull him lower to the ground and leaned over to listen, thinking that she was here to show off what delicious food she had cooked. He did not expect to hear such shocking news.
The relaxed look on his face gradually faded away, his eyes sank deep, and he asked the young lady, "When did it happen?" He had just returned from the palace, so why didn't he hear about it first.
"An hour ago." The young lady looked serious and nervous. "People from the palace arrived at the Xie Mansion. The eldest master was not at home, so Mr. Xie and the eldest lady received the transfer order."
Sure enough, it came.
Xie Shao frowned and strode forward.
The young lady followed him closely with her skirt lifted, and continued to chat with him: "As soon as the people in the palace left, the eldest lady sent someone to call the eldest son back from the government office. He returned to the mansion before my husband. Now the family is discussing it behind closed doors. The eldest lady said that she would sell her several pieces of land and houses outside to raise money for the eldest son to settle in the East Capital. She also specifically asked not to let the news leak out and let my husband and I know." The young lady said "tsk", very proud, "But there is no wall that is impenetrable. We still found out. I guessed it a long time ago. Sure enough, they are hiding something."
She kept talking in a lively manner. Xie Shao turned around and looked at the young lady strangely, "How did you know that?"
The young lady, who was smiling smugly, looked embarrassed and avoided her gaze. "My dear husband, you won't let me go out. I was just sitting around in the yard, walking around, and when I heard this shocking news."
Going around, I'm afraid it's not that easy considering my wife's personality.
But at this moment he no longer cared where she heard it from. He walked down the corridor, turned a corner and went straight to the eldest lady's courtyard.
Wen Shu was stunned, "My dear, where are you going?"
Xie Shao didn't answer.
The young lady was startled and tried to persuade him: "You know you've been wronged. You should learn your lesson and not give money to others easily. It's useless for you to go now. They won't return our money." Seeing that she couldn't stop him, she could only say: "Then don't tell them. I told you."
The man in front didn't answer and walked faster and faster.
Judging from the posture, it seems that he is going to fight with others. No, she has to follow him.
When they arrived at the Madam's Plum Garden, the maid guarding the gate was careless. Suddenly, she saw someone rushing in from outside. She was stunned and looked up with a look of astonishment, "Why is the Third Young Master here?"
Seeing someone rushing in, she hurriedly stepped forward to stop him, "Wait a moment, Third Young Master. I will go and tell the Madam first."
However, Xie Shao turned a deaf ear and barged in. The maid could only shout to remind the people inside: "Third Young Master, Third Young Master... Oh, why is Third Madam here too..."
The eldest lady in the house was taking out her best money to collect the money for the eldest son. When she heard the voice of the maid outside, her face turned panicked and she hurriedly swept a pile of bills into her sleeves. She was also very scared and couldn't help cursing: "Even a dog's nose is not as sharp as this."
He didn’t know how many years had passed since he last saw Third Young Master Xie come to his courtyard. He suddenly came today and it was obvious that he must have heard some rumors.
Before she could think any more, someone rushed in.
The master and mistress of the Xie family sat on the couch, while the eldest son sat on the official hat chair at the side. They all looked at the two people who had barged in without warning.
Xie Shao stood at the threshold, looking at everyone. He didn't look embarrassed at all, and didn't seem to feel that he had done anything rude. He greeted them, "Uncle, aunt, brother."
Wen Shuse also walked out from behind him, lowered his head and bowed to the three people.
"Why is the third brother here?" Uncle Xie was the first to react and asked the maid in the room to add two wooden stools.
The two of them sat down, Xie Shao sat in the inner seat, and Wen Shuse sat next to him, sitting straight and proper.
Not knowing why he came, Mr. Xie greeted him first and said, "I heard from Madam Zhou that the third brother's military prosecutor has been doing very well recently."
Xie Shao's face was calm, and he nodded and said, "Thanks to my uncle."
Uncle Xie smiled and said, "It's all your own ability. What does it have to do with me?" But he still felt somewhat satisfied in his heart.
At first, he had not expected that the third son's wife would donate all the grain she had stored to Luo'an. The position of Yuanwailang obtained for the third son was equivalent to giving away the grain to others. He had secretly lost his temper and scolded the two of them for being ignorant of the depth of the family, but what could he do? The grain had been taken to Luo'an and could not be recovered.
Apart from this official position, the second branch was completely bankrupt.
I thought that with the stubborn character of the third brother, he would not be willing to be bound by this and would obediently become an official. However, to his surprise, he not only got the official position, but also did a good job.
When the person arrived at the palace, Mrs. Zhou would show some favor to him due to her status as deputy envoy, and would praise him a few words, which was regarded as a recognition of the Xie family. As for what Xie Shao had done, Mr. Xie was not interested.
To put it bluntly, a military prosecutor is just someone who chats with people in the palace. How much future can he achieve?
It was great that he could figure out the twists and turns in his mind. Just as Mr. Xie was feeling relieved, Xie Shao had already looked at Xie Heng beside him and suddenly asked, "Did your brother's transfer order come down?"
The eldest lady's expression changed immediately. The people in the palace had just left and the news had not spread yet, but he knew it quickly.
Anyway, this matter will be known sooner or later, there is nothing to hide, Xie Heng smiled, "Just received it."
Xie Shao asked him again: "Brother, what do you think? Are you willing?"
Xie Heng was a little surprised that he would ask this. He naturally knew what kind of personality his third brother had. When he came back from Dongdu, he had expected a lot from him and took the initiative to come to him to ask for advice. However, when it came to eating, drinking and having fun, he was proficient in everything, but when it came to family and country affairs, he looked lazy and indifferent.
After going there a few times, I rarely interacted with him anymore. Seeing him suddenly become serious today, I was surprised and a little uncomfortable: "It was expected, but it's a little late. Officials serve the court and follow the orders. How can we talk about willingness or not?"
That means we have to go.
Xie Shao said: "I don't think so."
Ignoring Xie Heng's stunned expression, he continued, "It may not be the intention of the court. Brother is the son of the deputy envoy of Fengcheng. To avoid the same family having a foot in both sides, the court will not easily recruit him. This transfer order came strangely. It was sent directly to the Xie family without going through Madam Zhou of the Wangfu. It is not in accordance with the rules. I advise brother to stay in Fengcheng."
This time, not only Xie Heng was stunned, but Mr. Xie and Mrs. Xie were also stunned by his words.
At first, she was surprised that a playboy like him had such views, and then she was quite dissatisfied with his words.
What insights can a playboy who only knows how to eat and drink have? No one knows what he is thinking. The eldest lady's eyes flashed with disdain, and she smiled reluctantly: "Third brother, what you said is novel. Your brother passed the examination with his own ability. His name was on the imperial list, and the imperial seal was stamped on the list. The people of Dafeng have seen it. Foreign officials are evaluated every three years. Your brother has completed his term and his political achievements are impeccable. Why can't he be easily hired?"
The sky in the vassal king's territory is so small that it will reach the top if you stand up a little. What future can you have? Do you have to stay in Fengcheng like him and waste your whole life here?
The eldest lady was very unhappy that the man, who had no ability at all, wanted to block other people's way.
Uncle Xie had not slept well at night in order to wait for this transfer order. He finally got it and was in high spirits when he was suddenly poured a bucket of cold water on by him. Naturally, he was a little bothered, but he did not react as strongly as the eldest lady. He gave his own explanation: "Although your brother is the magistrate of Fengcheng County, he is a tribute scholar and belongs to the court of Dongdu. The palace can directly dispatch him. You are right. The transfer order should indeed pass through the prince's mansion. I guess the people in the palace heard that the prince was not at home, so they handed it to me. I will go to Madam Zhou to report the situation later."
There was nothing wrong with what Uncle Xie said. He was the deputy envoy of Fengcheng. When the prince was away, he did many things. There was nothing wrong with the transfer order for him to take over.
But today, for some reason, Xie Shao kept on holding on to it: "The prince is not here, but there is Madam Zhou. Madam Zhou is not here, but there is Crown Prince Zhou. The court issued a transfer order to transfer officials in the Fandi area, but it did not go through the Fandi lord, but instead bypassed the vassal king to issue orders to the people under him. This is unreasonable and illegal. Uncle, as the prince's deputy envoy and the father of the person in the transfer order, should avoid such things."
His words were stern and righteous. Uncle Xie was choked for a moment and felt a little embarrassed. He didn't know how to respond and turned his head away.
Seeing him talking to the master like this, the first lady was stunned and even more confused, "What's wrong with the third brother today?"
Xie Shao ignored her and continued to look at Master Xie and said, "Uncle is the deputy envoy of Fengcheng and the prince's right-hand man. When brother goes to Dongdu, what will the prince think and what will Madam Zhou think? Uncle, have you ever thought about it?"
Since ancient times, the most taboo thing in employing people is that they have ulterior motives. Last time he let Pei Yuanqiu go without permission, Madam Zhou and Prince Zhou had already harbored a grudge in their hearts.
The reason why Madam Zhou didn't let him go out of the city to pick up the prince was that she was on guard against him.
Before Master Xie could speak, the First Lady sneered, "What's the conflict? Your brother went to Kyoto to be an official, and your uncle worked for the prince. Although they each served their own masters, they were all doing the same thing. They were all serving Dafeng."
Even if they were vassal kings, they had to be loyal to the imperial court. The eldest master of the Wen family was able to be transferred from a county magistrate to the capital to serve as the Minister of Works, so why couldn't his own son do the same?
Xie Shao's face was calm: "I hope it will be as my aunt said, and one day even if the two sides go to war, they can each serve their master."
The eldest lady was startled. "You, what are you talking about? Why are you fighting with weapons..."
Xie Shao said nothing, his eyes became calm and he just looked at Uncle Xie.
"Enough!" Uncle Xie was suddenly confused when he was looked at like this, and he shouted: "What do you think I want? I am not thinking about the Xie family. You have also seen that several princes around Zhongzhou have been reduced. Jing... Zhongzhou will be reduced sooner or later. Didn't you see the last time you and that Prince Zhou caused trouble in the armory? It was just a show of force. Zhongzhou will definitely not be peaceful in the future."
This shout was filled with anger, and everyone in the room was frightened. Wen Shuse couldn't help but straighten his body and secretly glanced at Xie Shao, secretly suspicious. Didn't he come to ask the eldest lady for money? Why did he challenge Mr. Xie?
The old man of the Xie family was furious, his face was as black as the bottom of a pot, but Xie Shao did not show any fear in his eyes. He looked directly at him and said, "So, uncle, are you going to tell the prince which side you are on?"
"You!" Uncle Xie pointed at his nose angrily and said, "Stop talking nonsense."
Xie Shao had a calm expression and asked, "What my uncle has done has already been known to the world, so why should I, your nephew, say more?"
"What do you know! Since your father resigned, my Xie family has no connections in Dongdu. Before Zhongzhou gets into chaos, I will send your brother away first. Even if my Xie family encounters misfortune in the future, there will be a way out."
Such thinking is simply naive.
"I really don't understand uncle's heart, but I know that since ancient times, it is difficult to be loyal to two masters. What uncle can think of, the other party can also think of. Without enduring the bitter cold, how can the plum blossom smell fragrant? Uncle wants to get something for nothing, nephew thinks the hope is not great."
Uncle Xie didn't expect to be lectured by a junior today. Not only was he embarrassed, but his little plan was exposed. He was quite angry and said, "In your opinion, should we just wait to die and be buried with Prince Jing?!"
This was what Deputy Envoy Xie really thought. In this party struggle, he had already taken sides and was sure that the prince would win.
"Uncle, you don't even know what the court is going to do. How can you say that? Even if that day comes, it doesn't matter if you die! In ancient times, Xun Jubo visited his friend and stayed with him for life. What's more, you are paid by others, doing your job, fulfilling your responsibilities and doing your work well." Xie Shao's eyes suddenly showed some impatience. "Uncle, have you ever thought about what made you so outstanding that you could be favored by Prince Jing?"
Why else could he be used by Prince Jing? Wasn't it because of his ability?
But Xie Shao's interrogation of him like this made people think deeply. Before Prince Jing became the vassal king of Zhongzhou, Uncle Xie was just a small inspector in Fengcheng. In terms of knowledge and martial arts, there were many people who were better than him.
He was the only one valued by Prince Jing. Why? Because Xie Pushe, who had resigned from his post, happened to return to his hometown at that time.
Is this what he meant by thanking the Third Young Master?
Uncle Xie's blood boiled in his chest, his face turned red and white, and he stared at Xie Shao without any kindness. He suddenly stood up and slapped the wooden table on the soft couch, his face furious: "You are a playboy who has squandered all your family's wealth. What qualifications do you have to lecture me? Who gave you the ability?"
Others don’t know, but Uncle Xie himself has experienced this deeply. As the eldest son of the Xie family, he does not have the glory he should have. Instead, he has been suppressed by his younger brother since childhood.
Be it in terms of talent or acquired efforts, he could not compare to Second Master Xie. He had lived in Second Master Xie's shadow for the past few decades. Later, Second Master Xie resigned and returned to his hometown, which gave him a chance to turn things around. He finally felt that he had led the family for more than ten years, but now he was told that his so-called success was nothing more than the road paved for him by Second Master Xie.
Bullshit!
The slap was so strong that the tea set on the wooden table flipped over, affecting the lady next to her. The tea stains splashed all over the place, and she hurriedly stood up and wiped them with an embroidered handkerchief while she couldn't help but say sarcastically: "You said, it's a happy event, we should be happy, but why do we have to be jealous of others? What do you mean by family? I think they are worse than strangers..."
How could he not tell who these words were spoken of? Xie Shao's expression changed slightly.
Wen Shuse, however, had sharp eyes. He poked his head out from behind him, smiled and pointed at the eldest lady's sleeve, reminding her, "Aunt, the land deed and house deed in your sleeve seem to have fallen out."
The eldest lady was startled, and hurriedly pinched her sleeves and lowered her head to check.
It had fallen somewhere, but only a corner was exposed. He quickly stuffed it back in, and when he stood up, he realized that he had leaked something, and his face suddenly became stiff.
After Wen Shuse donated all the grain, the second branch was left with nothing, and the two of them were starving. The old lady called her over and asked her to help, but she was stubborn and even cried about her poverty in front of Xie San.
Now that I have the house deeds and land deeds, my plot has been exposed and I feel completely humiliated.
There was a moment of silence, and no one spoke.
Things had gotten to this point and there was no way he could stay any longer. Xie Shao stood up and walked out without saying hello to anyone.
Wen Shuse followed closely behind him.
After leaving the yard, looking at the man in front of her whose back was stiff with anger, her opinion of him changed unconsciously.
In the past duels between the two, she usually had the upper hand. She thought this person was easy to deal with, but she didn't expect that when they really started competing, she would be so good at talking.
Several people started arguing, but no one treated her as an outsider. Wen Shuse understood that the first family had great ambitions and wanted the eldest son to go to Dongdu to develop as a backup plan, but Xie San objected and believed that one should be loyal to his master.
This time, Wen Shuse stood with Xie San for a rare time.
Before planning for the future, one must first consider where he is. The monk may run away, but the temple cannot. If Prince Jing is a ruthless character, can he wait for the eldest son to go to Dongdu to build connections and come to the rescue?
I'm afraid that before anyone arrived, the Xie family had already been massacred and the roots of the family had been wiped out.
It is true that people need to be officials. Being an official is different. Not only his brother, but Xie Shao also began to be reborn.
The words he just said showed no trace of a dandy character at all. If he keeps working hard, he will become a great man in the future.
Just as she was feeling proud, she saw the man in front of her turn around and tell Min Zhang behind her, "Send a letter to the old man and tell him that if he doesn't come back, the Xie family will be destroyed."
Wen Shuse:......
Just as he was about to look away, he caught a glimpse of the young lady in front of him with a stiff expression on her face. She stared at him distantly, as if she was ready to flee from him if disaster struck.
He couldn't help but sneer, thinking about it, and took a step back to the young lady, saying carefully: "Young lady, I'm afraid that your idea of remarrying will not come true. You'd better give up this idea as soon as possible. Your second son of the Ming family has agreed to Madam Zhou's marriage proposal today. Your sincerity is destined to go down the drain. But young lady, don't worry, there is always a way out. It just so happens that I don't have anyone I like. After getting along with you these days, I think you are very good, especially the fact that you can use silver needles to pick thorns and heal people's wounds. I am quite amazed and admire you. So from now on, I will wrong you, and you have to follow me through thick and thin, and share the joys and sorrows. From now on, we will be husband and wife, sharing honor and disgrace."
What nonsense is he talking about.
The young lady stared blankly at the man in front of her.
Before she could figure out what kind of magic he was doing, the man in front of her smiled at her again, slowly bent down, and took her hand that was hanging by her side, "Let's go, my lady."
Woo woo woo, it’s too late, my darlings, my arms hurt so much ~ I’m just posting this in advance to show my respect.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
